—Chemokines are signalling proteins that orchestrate the interaction of immune cells against pathogens and tumours. To understand this complex network, various techniques have been developed to identify chemokine-producing cells. However, it has not yet been possible to determine which cells react to these chemokines. Researchers at the University Hospital Bonn (UKB) and the University of Bonn have developed a new class of genetically modified mice that enables the simultaneous identification of chemokine producers and sensors.
—Many kidney diseases are manifested by protein in the urine. However, until now it was not possible to determine whether the protein excretion is caused by only a few, but severely damaged, or by many moderately damaged of the millions of small kidney filters, known as glomeruli. Researchers at the University Hospital Bonn, in cooperation with mathematicians from the University of Bonn, have developed a new computer method to clarify this question experimentally. The results of their work have now been published as an article in press in the kidney research journal "Kidney International".
—Prof. Takashi Fujita from the Institute of Virus Research at the university of Bonn, Prof. Mitsutoshi Yoneyama from the Research Institute of Disaster Medicine at the Chiba University and Prof. Hiroki Kato from the Institute of Cardiovascular Immunology at the University Hospital in Bonn published a collaborative review article in celebration of 20 years after the discovery of RIG-I. The article delves into the captivating realm of RIG-I research, exploring the advancements made over the past two decades.
—The heart is a vital organ that orchestrates blood circulation through the body to supply the organs with oxygen and nutrients. This regulation involves the continuous blood flow through the cardiac chambers and valves. One important tissue in this intricate network of chambers and valves is the aortic valve. The aortic valve is positioned between the left ventricle and the aorta, functioning as a gateway to the body thus preventing the retrograde flow of blood from the aorta back to the heart.
—We are delighted to welcome Dr. Tal Pecht as a new member of our Cluster of Excellence. The young scientist already made outstanding research contributions during her time as a postdoc within ImmunoSensation at the LIMES Institute of the University of Bonn. We are therefore even more pleased to welcome Tal Pecht as a full member, and her support her in establishing the FemmunityX research group.
—Dr. Barbara Kreppel from the magazine “Angewandte Nuklearmedizin” interviewed Prof. Gunther Hartmann, director of the Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Clinical Pharmacology and founding speaker of the ImmunoSensation2 Cluster of Excellence, on his expertise on immunology and nuclear medicine.
The Becker-Gotot group is awarded at the GTH 2024 in Vienna
—This year marked the 68th scientific meeting of the “Gesellschaft für Thrombose- und Hämostaseforschung” (GTH) in Vienna, Austria with hundreds of guests from all over Europe. Amongst numerous compelling scientific presentations Dr. Janine Becker-Gotot from the Institute of Molecular Medicine and Experimental Immunology at the University Hospital Bonn stood out and secured the career development award for her groundbreaking work titled “Immune tolerance against infused FVIII in hemophilia A is mediated by PD-L1+ Tregs” that was published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation.
—T follicular helper cells (Tfh) are essential for strong antibody-mediated reactions of our immune system during infections and vaccinations. However, if they get out of control, this can cause diseases such as autoimmunity, allergies or cancer. Researchers from the University Hospital Bonn (UKB) and the Cluster of Excellence ImmunoSensation at the University of Bonn investigated the underlying mechanisms of Tfh cell development in a mouse model and thus decoded their internal networking.
—The research team of Prof. Dr. Hiroki Kato at the Institute of Cardiovascular Immunology is dedicated to understanding the intricate mechanisms of immune responses in the context of viral infections and autoimmune diseases. They are particularly interested in exploring how cytoplasmic RNA sensors, like MDA5, differentiate between viral RNAs and self-RNAs, initiating type I interferons (IFNs) as anti-viral defense. However, mutations in MDA5 can lead to autoimmune diseases.
